Author: TMC Palau

Today, we welcome Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manele, Tongan Prime Minister Lord Fakafanua, Palaun President Whipps and the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Baron Waqa to Australia for a meeting of the PIF Troika in Brisbane. The Albanese Labor Government will strengthen our commitment to backing Pacific-led climate solutions by investing a further $550 million for the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP). At the invitation of the PIF Secretariat, Minister Bowen will join the PIF Troika, consisting of the current PIF Chair (Solomon Islands), incoming Chair (Palau) and outgoing Chair (Tonga), to discuss progress…

The Fiji Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission has warned that any enforcement strategy to combat the illicit drug crisis must be carefully designed to avoid discrimination or social profiling. The Commission emphasized that efforts to dismantle drug networks must not lead to the stigmatization of individuals or the targeting of vulnerable groups. This caution comes as the government considers a State of Emergency and continues joint operations between the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and the Fiji Police. While acknowledging the grave social and health impacts of drugs, the Commission stressed that a potential SOE must remain a measure of…

Changwu Ruan and other detainees are brought to Saipan Immigration Court by ICE ERO agents for removal proceedings on Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. Photo by Bryan ManabatBy Bryan Manabat[email protected]Variety News Staff A CHINESE national in removal proceedings has asked the Saipan Immigration Court to deport him to the Republic of Palau.Changwu Ruan, represented by attorney John Lee, appeared before Immigration Judge Clarence Wagner of Honolulu via teleconference on Friday. Lee told the court that Ruan has filed for asylum and does not want to be deported to the People’s Republic of China.Ruan, speaking through an interpreter, said that if he could…

A high-level taskforce has been established to address challenges surrounding sugarcane lease renewals and secure the long-term future of the industry beyond 2030. Minister for Sugar Industry Tomasi Tunabuna says the multi-agency body brings together key institutions, including the Ministries of Finance, Agriculture, Lands, and Strategic Planning, alongside the iTaukei Land Trust Board. The taskforce has been mandated to identify and resolve bottlenecks in the lease renewal process while developing sustainable, long-term solutions for agricultural land use. Tunabuna says land security remains a critical issue for the sugar sector.Article continues after advertisement “The goal is in two folds, to ensure…

Photo: Liam Swiggs / RNZ The Fijian Drua defeated the Highlanders for the first time in the Super Rugby Pacific competition on Saturday, with a 24-14 win. It was a fitting present to tough number eight Elia Canakaivata, who played his 50th game for the club and the competition. Two tries from fullback Isikeli Rabitu, including one in the second half, saw the Fijians claim the historic win at their third home venue, in front of close to 10,000 local fans. The second half saw the side keep the Highlanders scoreless, after the visitors had led 14-12 at the end…

Military representatives from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and military units met with Republic of Palau senior leaders for a U.S.-Palau Joint Committee Meeting at the One Stop Shop Government Building in Koror, Sept. 29.Republic of Palau President Surangel Whipps, Jr., U.S. Ambassador to Palau Joel Ehrendreich, and INDOPACOM Commodore Jonathan Lett led a team of U.S. and Palauan officials and experts for the biannual, bilateral meeting to discuss security and defense in the region.“At the end of the day, it’s all about deterrence,” Whipps said. “It’s about working together to deter and to change behavior. I really appreciate our partnership and…

Concerns are being raised over the taxi base allocation system, with operators warning of difficulties securing approved bases under the current framework, especially in rural and underserved areas. Minister for Transport Ro Filipe Tuisawau says the legal framework provides a transition period, requiring all taxi operators to secure an approved base or stamp by 30 September 2027. He is urging operators to apply early through municipal councils or local authorities. Ro Filipe says the Land Transport Authority has started accepting applications to improve rural access, with approvals expected to expand the national network.Article continues after advertisement “Upon completion of the…

The Government of the Republic of Palau has launched a new operating model for its national ship registry, while trusting Panos Kirnidis to lead the registry. As informed, Palau Ship Registry has been contracted to manage day-to-day operations under a governance framework that emphasizes accountability, transparency, and alignment with international maritime standards. This follows a period during which the Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Industries temporarily oversaw the registry to ensure uninterrupted service for vessels flying the Palau Flag. Throughout this transition, all marine regulations, circulars, statutory certificates, and seafarer documentation issued prior to the new arrangement remain valid and…

The Swire Shipping Fijian Drua has broken their losing streak to the Highlanders after claiming an emphatic 24-14 win at the 4R Electric Stadium in Ba this afternoon. The Drua has never beaten the Highlanders since entering the Shop N Save Super Rugby competition in 2022, and the win this afternoon saw them break that streak. The Drua started the match strongly with experienced midfielder Virimi Vakatawa scoring a converted try in the 8th minute before the Highlanders equalised with a converted try to winger Jonah Lowe to level the score at 7-all after 15 minutes. Fullback Isikeli Rabitu put…

Improving people’s health in the future starts with understanding people’s health today. What are people dying from? Are children surviving their first years? How does life expectancy compare with other countries? This page tracks key health metrics for Palau.The data is updated regularly with the latest global and country estimates. Sometimes the latest data is two or three years behind the current year.See all health data for PalauWhat share of children die in Palau?The latest data, referring to 2023, shows that 2.7% died before the age of 15 in Palau.This is the youth mortality rate, which measures the share of…